LSU’s Indoor Practice Facility provides refuge from the sweltering August heat. Metal fold-out chairs line the hash marks all the way up the field. Only one of the chairs in the section designated  “Defensive Backs” sits in front of a media backdrop.
The seat would have undoubtedly been filled last year by Patrick Peterson, the Tigers’ defensive MVP-turned-top 10 draft pick. With Peterson in the NFL, the spotlight now shines on a player who learned from Peterson since he stepped foot on campus.
Junior Morris Claiborne, LSU’s new No. 1 defensive back, sees Peterson not just as a friend and former teammate, but as family.
“It was mostly a big brother-little brother type thing,” Claiborne said. “Since the first time I came in on my visit, he’s always been there. From the meeting rooms, to coming on the field, doing drills, he wanted me to know everything he me.”
Peterson had been pulling for the move, and when it happened, he took Claiborne under his wing, teaching him about the position and helping him adjust to college academics.
“He pulled me to the side and told me, ‘Once you get this down, football and everything will come a lot easier,'” Claiborne said.
Peterson’s lessons plus Claiborne’s natural speed, previous game experience and 6 -foot, 177-pound frame are setting up a season that even Les Miles is excited about.
“Mo was always one of the more athletic and talented guys. … The year he will have will be special,” Miles said.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis raved about Claiborne’s techniques and confidence Aug. 9 during Media Day. Sophomore defensive back Tyrann Mathieu said he is motivated just knowing Clairborne can cover the best receiver on the field. Fellow sophomore defensive back Tharold Simon isn’t worried much about Claiborne’s production.
“I know he will [live up to the hype]. He lives up to it every day in practice, and he practices like he plays,” Simon said.
Sitting in front of the media backdrop, being filmed by a TV reporter, Claiborne smiles and laughs.
He defers comparisons to his predecessor and gives credit where he genuinely believes it’s due.
Shrugging off the hype, for him, is easy. Shrugging him off, for receivers, could be a different story.
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Contact Alex Cassara at [email protected]